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Wednesday, 13 February 2013

League Two round-up: 12/02/13

Last night saw six games in League Two with teams still
playing catch-up due to previous, mostly weather-induced postponements.

Rotherham moved back into the playoff places following
their away win at Torquay. On the flip side, the Gulls continue their slump and
sit in 18th after a third successive defeat. After a goalless first
half at Plainmoor the match immediately sprang to life in the second half – Lee
Frecklington’s long-range effort wasn’t properly dealt with by the Gulls’
keeper and put the Millers in front with only a minute on the clock. The
visitors doubled their lead before the hour mark when Alex Revell latched on to
a through-ball and slotted home. Torquay pulled a goal back through Billy
Bodin’s penalty but Rotherham restored their two-goal cushion when, in added
time, Kayode Odejayi netted. It was Torquay’s fourth game without manager
Martin Ling and the club issued a statement today explaining he has been
undergoing treatment for a debilitating illness and will be away for a few more
weeks – a search is on to find someone to assist current deputy Shaun Taylor.

Elsewhere, Bradford won their first league game in seven
as they ran rampant against a recently resurgent Wycombe side. The League Cup
finalists were quick off the mark as Nathan Doyle’s half-volley found the net in
the game’s opening 50 seconds. Two goals in as many minutes late on handed
Bantams the victory. First, Will Atkinson doubled their advantage, before Doyle
bagged his second – this time from the penalty spot. Wanderers drop to 13th
while Bradford move up to 10th.

Aldershot remain in the dropzone, though a win could have
seen them move up to 20th. Hosts Morecambe were gifted their first
goal when Oliver Risser headed past his own keeper in the 72th minute. Gary
McDonald netted late on to double the Shrimps’ lead when he was quickest to
pounce on Ryan Williams’ attempt which was blocked. The Shots pulled one back
through Danny Hylton but his stoppage time strike wasn’t enough. A win for the
hosts sees them in the top half of the table.

Last night also saw away victories for both Cheltenham
and Fleetwood. 7th met 5th at Roots Hall where Southend
hosted Cheltenham, but at the end of this one, the Rubies returned to 3rd
while the Shrimpers had to settle for a place outside of the playoffs. When
Alex Woodyard brought down Russell Penn in the opening 15 minutes it was up to
Marlon Pack to put away the resulting spot kick – which he duly did.
Cheltenham’s lead was doubled before the half time whistle when Paul Benson
capitalised on a mistake between the seasiders’ defence and goalkeeper to record
his first goal since arriving on loan from Swindon. Ben Reeves’ 10-yard effort
in time added on proved no more than a consolation for the home side.

Meanwhile, Fleetwood’s win sees them continue their
unbeaten run and move up to 4th. The Cod Army found themselves two
goals to the good at the Kassam: Ryan Crowther’s smart finish before the half
hour mark was followed by Junior Brown’s second half header. Liam Davis reduced
the deficit for Oxford with his 20-yard effort, but his strike left it too late
to get anything from the game. The Us remain 15th.

Gillingham missed out on the opportunity to regain top
spot, but a draw at York saw the gap between them and Port Vale cut to a single
point. Their game remained goalless.

While Friday night sees Exeter host Accrington, it’s
Saturday afternoon action for the rest of the Football League’s basement
division. The top three all play at home with Gillingham hosting Dagenham &
Redbridge, Port Vale versus Morecambe and lowly Aldershot travelling to third-placed
Cheltenham. The league’s bottom side AFC Wimbledon have a tricky game when cup
heroes Bradford come to town.